6 things to WATCH out for at the Japanese Grand Prix
6 things to WATCH out for at the Japanese Grand Prix
The iconic Suzuka has hosted a number of historic F1 moments (including 11 title deciders) and after the fallout of Sepang, here’s what to look out for at the Japanese Grand Prix.
The iconic Suzuka has hosted a number of historic F1 moments (including 11 title deciders) and after the fallout of Sepang, here’s what to look out for at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Will Hamilton skip sessions to save engines?
From leading the Malaysian Grand Prix and potentially taking the F1 world championship lead to a dramatic retirement and slipping 23 points off Nico Rosberg. It has been a dramatic few days for Hamilton who admitted he is considering skipping practice session in order to preserve engine life.
It seems unlikely that Hamilton would give away such an advantage to Rosberg while battling for a world title but stranger things have happened so a conservative approach could be adopted. How that impacts the race is something we’ll wait to find out.
Honda out to impress on home soil
A recent resurgence of results from Fernando Alonso means McLaren-Honda can confidently aim for points at the engine manufacturer’s home event. Pride and presentation are all-important to the Honda hierarchy so top ten finishes will be a minimum requirement to show steps forward from last year.
Vettel on backfoot with grid penalty
Despite the steadfast defence of his attacking driving style into turn one at the Malaysian Grand Prix, Vettel will start three places back from his qualifying position with a grid penalty overhanging to the Japan race. Suzuka might be fast and flowing but overtaking isn’t always straightforward and if the pacey Mercedes-powered Force India or William cars start ahead it could be a tricky race for the German driver.
Driver market continues to shuffle
Perez (finally) confirms he’ll remain at Force India for 2017. Magnussen sets Renault a two week deadline on his contract decision. Wehrlein puts faith in Mercedes to land him an F1 race seat. With the European Formula 3 championship tucked in his back pocket Lance Stroll could be on his way to Felipe Massa’s Williams spot. The full grid for next year could become much clearer in the coming days.
Whether the weather...
Sunshine looks likely for the full race weekend at Suzuka but the weather has a tendency to flip very quickly as seen in the tragic 2014 race. If rain does arrive on race day that’ll put the usual metaphorical cat among the pigeons, while Red Bull have been consistently faster than Mercedes in the wet stuff.
Red Bulls keep on charging?
Speaking of Red Bull, the Milton Keynes squad have been the in-form challengers in the Asian flyaway races capped by its first 1-2 result since the 2013 Brazilian Grand Prix. Having stretched ahead of Ferrari both Ricciardo and Verstappen will be looking to disrupt the F1 title rivals Hamilton and Rosberg to capitalise on any opportunities. See Sepang for reference.